Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed—on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

I am intrigued by the use of “jasper” as a descriptive since that gemstone is opaque but shows great variety in coloration and appearance. It takes a high polish producing fascinating settings often described as picture jasper. While I do not understand clear, the thought of a city built of jasper portrays an exceeding beautiful structure of infinite variety. What a glorious city to contain the center and object of my worship.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 71

Mid-day: 119:9-16

Evening: Psalm 147

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.